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DANBURY, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Western Connecticut State University suspends its search for a permanent presidential replacement amid growing concerns about the University's budget challenges.
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system President Dr. Terrence Cheng says current Interim President Paul Beran will step back into an advisory role before the beginning of the fall semester.
Doctor Manohar Singh, a current dean at Southern Connecticut State University, is named as the replacement Interim President.
"Significant budgetary and demographic challenges of course remain," said Dr. Singh in a statement. "Yet, I am confident that the future of WCSU is bright," he added.
Citing the time needed to acclimate a new President at Western, Dr. Cheng admits that his team has "...heard in no uncertain terms that, given our current budget challenges, WCSU cannot wait a year and a half for a new president to get acclimated, and that we should focus our time and attention on the issues most pressing to WCSU’s students and the Danbury community."
Louise Williams, President of the American Association of University Professors, wants to see new thinking come with new management, saying in an interview with WTIC Radio, "...Governor Lamont and the Office of Policy and Management...their only solution to the problems at Western is shrinking and cutting."
Dr. Singh will begin his role on August 25.